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Published Under Auspices
of
National War Work Council
Y.M.C.A. of the United States
Vol. 1.
PASSING OF FIRST
CAVALRY REGIMENT
Historical Pennsylvania Unit
Loses Identity and is Ready to
Be Transferred to Service
Designated.
Saturday was a day that will not
soon be forgotten in the minds of the
members of the First Pennsylvania
Cavalry, for, on that day, the historical
regiment passed out of existence as a
cavalry regiment, and now remains
ready to be transferred to the branch
of service designated. It has had a
long and eventful career. A past that
has been recorded in the pages of his
tory, bearing a reputation that is hard
to surpass.
During the revolutionary war, a
troop of cavalry was organized by
Philadelphia men and they volunteered
their services to the United States gov
ernment. Their services was accept
ed and they served diligently and loy
ally throughout the war, returning to
Philadelphia where a permanent or
ganization was authorized. This troop
was given the name of First Troop,
Philadelphia City Cavalry and they re
tained that title until they served on
the Mexican border last summer, when
they were given the title Troop E.
From the time of the Revolutionary
war until 1871, First Troop was the
only troop of militia cavalry in the
United States.
In 1871, the state of Pennsylvania
authorized the organization of another
troop. This troop was organized in
Tyrone, Pa., and was given the name
Sheridan troop, in honor of the great
American general, Philip Sheridan.
This organization is the second oldest
organization in the United States. They
e’iminated their narX on the border,
and became known as Troop B. Dur
ing the Mexican trouble, this troop
came into the limelight very bright.
They were pronounced by the officials
of the War Department, the best caval
ry organization in the entire militia
body.
Slowly but surely, troops were or
ganized in the various cities, until
finally a squadron was made. Then
another squadron, and then a battalion
of the old Twelfth Regiment was turn
ed to cavalry and a regiment organ
ized.
The First Pennsylvania Cavalry was
the pride of the Pennsylvania Division.
There was an air to the regiment that
made it the least bit “different from
the rest.” It seemed to be chiefly in
the officers, for they manifested a great
pride in their organizations.
There was strenuous competition in
the race to be known as the “best
troop" in the regiment. Fondled in its
childhood days, it matured and grew
strong and healthy and now, it has a
past beyond reproach.
The regiment is in command of Col
onel John P. Wood, whose home is in
Philadelphia, and who practically grew
up with his organization; a military
man honored and respected by all his
men, from the second class private to
the highest officer, as well as by the
officers whom he comes in contact
with. The order from the War De
partment that calls for the dismem
berment of this organization, is felt
more by him than by any other man in
the universe. Why shouldn’t it be so?
It was his pride, and he handled it as
a parent would fondle a child, and to
see it leave him, is like tearing a child
from a mother's arms.
The men hate to see it pass into
eternity, but they are awaiting eagerly
to step into the branch of service des
ignated, and to build up an organiza
tion similar to the First Pennsylvania
Cavalry.
The last rites were administered to
the regiment Sunday evening after re
treat, when Troop A assembled and
marched up the cavalry street, with
the “corpse” of the organization. Head
ing the procession was a man with his
hat resting on his left breast, followed
by six men carrying a stretcher with
the supposed corpse. They were fol
lowed by a man carrying a saber an*
scabbard. Then came three black
horses led, and in their rear were
three men carrying a saddle, saddle
THE AUGUSTA HERALD
Edition for CAMP HANCOCK Augusta, Ga.
blanket, bridle and feed bag. Two
cornetists headed the mourning sec
tion, playing the death march and ap
propriate music for the occasion.
The mourners were marching slow
ly, with their heads bared and hung,
their hats’-resting on their left breast.
As they passed each troop street, mem
bers of the other organizations “fell
in” in a column of two’s, and joined
the procession. They marched to the
head of the street and countermarched,
delaying automobile traffic for almost
fifteen minutes. It was solemn and im
pressive, yet, jocular to the spectator,
but in the hearts of these men, they
knew that they are losing something
that is going to be hard to replace.
It is quite probably that the regiment
will be transferred to artillery, that
is, they will take the different troops
to the artillery regiments that have
vacancies, and fill hem up. For the
men who are remaining, their disposi
tion is not known. The officers of the
regiment have not been asigned, nor
do they know where they will be
placed.
The regiment is composed of the fol
lowing units: Troops A, D, E, G,
Headquarters and Supply of Phila
delphia; Troop B, of Tyrone; Troop
H, of Pittsburg; Troop F, of New Cas
tle; Troop C, of Harrisburg; Troop
M, of Dewisburg; Troop L, of Belle
fonte; Troop K, of Bock Haven; Troop
I, of Danville, and Sanitary Detach
ment, Bellefonte.
SOLDIERS’ CLOTHES
REPAIRED GRATIS
Ladies Will Meet at ‘Y’ Build
ings Each Week for That
Purpose.
The Fosdick Commission, Mr. Frank C.
Wood, has arranged for five committees
of women, one for each of the Association
Buildings, to repair the soldiers* clothing.
These women will meet one afternoon in
the week in each of the buildings and sew
on buttons, repair rents, make alterations,
and prforem any other service in their
power. Some of the ladies were even
willing to darn, the socks of the boys, but
since army regulations prohibit of wear
ing darned hose, this was found to be
irnpractible.
The soldiers will bring their clothing
perfectly clean to the Association Bulid
ing before the time stated, and will be
able to secure them again at any time
after 5 o’clock on the day when the wom
en get busy.
The difficulty arises with the fellow who
has only one shirt, but probably some
of his comrades will supply him with one
while his is being repaired.
The committees for each building will
be headed by the following women:
No. 75—-Mrs. J. W. Benet. U. S. Arsenal.
No. 76—Mrs. W. H. S. Ellis, 1303 Fif
teenth Street.
No. 77 —Mrs. George F. Lamback, 250
No. 78—Mrs. Eugene Greneker, 705
Greene Street,
No. 79 —Mrs. Charles Bowen, Central
Avenue.
LIBERTY”_OAN VICTORY
CAUSES REJOICING
Great rejoicing in Camp and probably
in trench followed the report that more
than five billion dollars (whatever that
may mean!) has been subscribed for Lib
erty loan bonds. Following closely on the
three billion bond sale, this is a good
record and it is perfectly clear, even to
the Kaiser, that we can do it again when
needed. To be sure, four per cent, is a
fair rate of interest- Also, there is not
a shadow of a risk. Then, too, it is prob
able that when the war is over the bonds
will sell above par. So that the degree of
patriotism reached by wealthy people,
who invest in safe four per cent, bonds
likely to enhance in value, is almost neg
ligable. They make no sacrifice.
With the soldier boys it is different.
They are facing the supreme test of their
patriotism. They risk life itself in the
great adventure for democracy and world
wide Brotherhood. And yet, they have
subscribed for the loan in immense sums
in every camp, cantonment, fort, bar
racks and isolated post in the United
States. That they laid aside from their
pay one and a half million dollars for the
use of Uncle Sam in the conduct of the
war. shows a monetary interest in its
success, which is phenomenal. Thrift,
foresight, good judgment, the ability to
sacrifice in a good cause, thtjse qualities
—foretokened by, this praiseworthy show
ing-will help them in fighting this world
war to a successful conclusion.
OCTOBER, 31, 1917
THE ORDNANCE DEPTS
WORK AT THE CAMP
Supplies 2 Btli Division With All
Material Not Included in
Quartermaster’s Issue. Men
from Civil Life Admitted For
First Time.
The Ordnance Department supplies
the Twenty-Eighth Division with all
material not included in the quarter
master’s issue. Under the general
head of ordnance comes all small
arms, cannon and artillery caissons,
saddles and horse equipment, target
materials, and the repairing of all
firearms. Such articles as are issued
by this department do not belong to
the soldier to whom they are issued,
but remain government property
which, in effect, is borrowed for the
enlistment, or until it wears out, when
it is replaced.
The present is the first time in the
history of the country when men are
taken into the ordnance department di
rect from civil life. Heretofore the pri
vates of that organization had served two
or more enlistments prior to transfer,
but owing to the pressing needs of the
new “overnight” armies, universities and
colleges have instituted what is known as
the “Ordnance Stores Training Course,”
in which men are fitted for the non-com
nisssioned ranks of the department. The
University of Pennsylvania was one of the
first schools i ntho country to foresee the
necessity of such a course, and the first
to open such a school,
Pennsylvania Classes in Augusta.
After six weeks of the study of the
theoretical side of ordnance storekeeping
the Pennsylvania classes are sent to the
arsenal here in Augusta, where they re
ceive an additional course and receive the
practical training. There are now eighty
U. P. graduates stationed at the arsenal,
and another class will arrive within the
next two or three weeks, after the pres
ent one is sent out.
The student pays for the university
course, at the end of which he enlists in
the army and receives the governmental
instruction at the expense of the nation.
All enlisted men in the ordinance depart
ment now at Camp Hancock are gradu
ates of the U. P. he department is in
the able hands of Captain Vernon Barcas,
U. S. A., who will have charge of the re
organization. The new army organiza
tion tables call for a company of one hun
dred men and five officers. At present
the work is being done by five enlisted
men and two officers.
Many College Graduates.
A greater portion of the new personnel
of the ordinance department will be taken
from the graduates of the U. P. training
course and the remainder will be trans
ferred from the various regiments of the
wenty-Eighth Division. There is a need
for skilled mechanicians and saddlers, and
an effort will be made to obtain these
within a short time.
After the formation of the new company
the unit will become a part of the division
encamped here. Under the old regime,
it is the "camp ordnance depot,” and al
though it works with the Twenty-Eighth,
it is not a part of it.
An ordnance repair shop has been erect
ed, where the guns and small arms will
be kept in order. When the division
moves to Europe, probably in the spring,
a mobile field repair shop will follow
their movements on the battlefield, in or
der that no time may be lost through
broken parts, especially of the artillery’s
weapons. e
Three huge powder magazines have re
cently been completed, in which will be
stored , all kinds of ammunition, from the
four-point-seven and three-inch shrapnel
to the .30 U. S. Springfield shells for the
infantry. Heavy guards with loaded rifles
and automatic pistols will protect this war
material from meddling hands, and any
one found within the limits of the “dan
ger zone" of the magazine will be com
pelled to give a satisfactory account of
himself, in lieu of which, he may expect
trouble.
Within a short time the artillery com
mands of the division will move out to
the range, where they will engage in pe
riodical target practice. At this time
they will use a great amount of powder
and shells, and a constant stream of
large calibre ammunition will be main
tained between the base of supply and the
camp storehouse.
The men of the Ordnance Depot are
busy making room and accommodations
for the coming hundred, who will find
their camp entirely prepared for them.
Under Captain Barcas the new members
of the command will be quickly whipped
into shape and receive training previous
to their, departure for the front.
None of the state officers of the ord
nance department are now in that unit
at Hancock.
ONE CENT POSTAGE
ARMY NEWS
FOR ARMY MEN
AND
THEIR HOME FOLKS
THIRTY-FIVE MILLION
To Be Raised in One Week,
Nov. 11th to 19th —Penn-
sylvania One-Tenth.
At a meeting of the executive board
of the Pennsylvania War Work Council,
Edward K. Bok, editor of the Ladies’
Home Journal, was elected chairman,
and Joseph M. Steele, vice-chairman of
the committee to secure three and one
half million dollars from Pennsylvania
during the week of November 11th to
19th.
Plans were perfected by which the
state may raise its share to provide for
the activities of the Y. M. C. A. in camp
and back of the firing line, not only
among American troops, but also among
Russia, and Italy.
At this Aseting Mr. W. Lowell Bald
ridge, of Bbllidaysburg, announced that
he had laid aside all business and will
devote his entire time to interesting busi
nessmen of his own and adjacent coun
ties in this movefnent.
Fifteen .thousand boys in the associa
tions of the state are to be pledged to
earn sl6-00 each to contribute to the war
work fund. This phase of the campaign
will be under the direction of H. J.
Schmidt, state boys’ secretary of Penn
sylvania.
A speakers’ bureau to cover the state
is being arranged by Religious work Sec
retary Dreshman.
Meetings have been held in a number
of Pennsylvania cities setting up the
campaign. At the Harrisburg meeting
Mr. Israel stated that no less than twelve
Y. M. C. A. secretaries have been chop
ped to pieces while in action with the
men. And that two secretaries, when the
crisis came, led the men over the top
when the officers fell.
In another meeting it was stated that
one Y. M. C. A. hut was so near the
firing line that it was totally destroyed
by a bursting shell from an enemy’s gun.
In another hut a secretary who has
lost an arm deals out writing paper to
the soldiers with his remaining hand. .
Madam Schumann-Heink has been
giving recitals in Pennsylvania cities.
In the afternoons she holds receptions to
which admittanace is given to those
women who have near relatives enlisted
in the war.
The fund must be secured. The Army
Y. M. C. A. activities are indispensable
in army life. Christian people always
have met a demonstrated nJ*jd and will
do so again.
CAPTAIN FRENCH
On the transfer of Captain Frank D.
French, assistant quartermaster, to an
other camp, ope of his associates pays
the following tribute:
A man of the ranks, his own person
ality plus inherent ability alone accounts
for the two bars on his shoulders. As
depot quartermaster with offices at 662
Broad street, Captain Franch appeared
on the scene long before the troops. To
him fell the lot of paving the way for
the onrush, of providing for their re
ception, of providing even for their
healthy appetites. Day and night, unas
sisted except by a few more or less ex
perienced clerks, the work went on. Con
tracts for stores, staggering in amounts,
were prepared and the vast amount of
preparatory labor completed. The thor
oughness with which it was done is found
in the praise of the camp by those of
ficials who have visited it.
Later the captain appeared as assis
tant camp quartermaster at Camp Han
cock. To him fell the task of detrain
ing the troop contingents arriving at the
camp. Again he made things hum and
congratulations from Major General
Clement himself attest to the way they
were done.
But all this was merely in the per
formance of official duties, duties it is
true well done but ordered. It Is in his
personal relations that Captain French
has earned the greatest respect and even
love. The men under him literally
swear by him and he’s worth it. The
comfort, the interest of- “his boys” has
always been paramount with this officer.
Discipline of course has been maintained,
but discipline applied as it should be with
no touch of overbearing and with a whole
hearted conception of the rights and feel
ings of the enlisted men till it has become
even plseant in its application.
And so these are the traits of Captain
French, a big man who goes -to a big
place. The camp quartermaster detach
ment knows he’ll succeed wherever he
goes, thank him for what he’s done and
been, and wish him that success that
is his just due.
MOUNT HERMON MEN.
Alumni of Mt. Hermon School in Camp
Hancock are forming an organization for
the purpose of some good times later.
Any not already in touch with Mr. Tom
linson, Camp Secretary of the Y. M. C.
A., or Corporal Hague. Company K, 110th
Infantry, should send their address to
the latter at ono. .
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